A recently-opened indoor electric go-kart arena and themed entertainment events venue has raced to the top by winning a coveted visitor attraction accolade after only seven months.
Visit Scotland has handed a Five Star Activity Centre Award to The Experience at Hillington Park, Renfrewshire.

Annique Armstrong, Regional Director of Visit Scotland, said: “It is rare for a business of just seven months to achieve this.
“The five star award is real testament to the team’s hard work and dedication over just a few months to reach this standard.”

The Academy restaurant, which is part of The Experience, has also been awarded a Visit Scotland Taste Our Best Award for offering a comprehensive menu of high quality, local produce.
As well as being Scotland’s only go-kart arena of its kind, The Experience also offers activities for youngsters including laser games, slot car racing, play rooms along with conference and meeting facilities.

The awards were given to The Experience after Visit Scotland conducted two mystery visits to grade the attraction on their national quality standards.Annique added: “We are delighted to award The Experience with five stars. The Experience offers visitors a great day out in Renfrewshire, with a variety of fun things to do for the family.

“The business has succeeded in its primary focus, which is to provide the largest number and widest range of job opportunities to young people.

“It has reached this by providing a plethora of activities for visitors including go-karting, laser experience, slot car racing and a delicious restaurant, alongside a training kitchen, flexible event space and a stage for the performing arts.

“A high level of customer experience has been consistent across the entire operation which has heavily contributed to this business receiving five stars.

“The Experience is a great example of how a business can achieve high standards very quickly – well done to all involved.”

Lynsey McLean, general manager of The Experience said: “We are very proud to have achieved these two Visit Scotland awards after such a short time.

“It’s a testament to the hard work of all our crew here. I’m a great believer that if the staff enjoy being at their work that will reflect on the service we give our visitors when they come through the door.

“As well as the Five Star Award being very unusual for a venue that has been opened for such a short time, there also can’t be many social enterprises like ourselves who have been awarded Five Stars by Visit Scotland.”

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Pic stars 1: Star attraction – some of the crew from The Experience who have won a Visit Scotland Five Star Award, from left, Gerry Brown; Lynsey McLean; mascot Volta; Declan Gallacher and Danielle Parnis.

Pic stars 2: Star turn – some of the crew from The Experience who have won a Visit Scotland Five Star Award, from left, Gerry Brown; Lynsey McLean; Nathan Cowan; Danielle Parnis and Declan Gallacher with mascot, Volta.

Pic stars 3: Shining Stars – some of the crew from The Experience who have won a Visit Scotland Five Star Award, front row from left, Gerry Brown; Lynsey McLean; mascot Volta; Danielle Parnis and Declan Gallacher.